--Coach Maurice Cheeks signed a contract extension on Sept. 9, his second extension of the year. Cheeks had signed an earlier extension in February. Terms of Cheeks' latest deal were not disclosed.

"I always wanted to be here, no matter what," said Cheeks in a conference call.

--The Sixers open the preseason against the defending champion Celtics on Oct. 8 at UMass. Other highlights include a pair of games against LeBron James and the Cavaliers, as well as two meetings with the new-look Knicks. Camp starts Sept. 30 at Penn State.

--The Sixers announced the addition of Jeff Ruland to the coaching staff. Ruland, who had two brief stints as a player with the Sixers, will work primarily with the team's big men. He had coached at his alma mater, Iona, and in the NBDL.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm a lot older. I definitely have to take care of myself. I can't go out there no-holds barred anymore like I used to." -- C Theo Ratliff, on returning to Philadelphia as a backup seven years after he was a starter and NBA All-Star with the 2000-01 Sixers.